Arthur Archdale

Arthur Somerville Archdale, DSO (8 September 1882 – 30 March 1948) was an English cricketer and Royal Artillery officer. He was born in Baldock and died in Camberley. His father was F. Archdale of Baldock; he married Mildred Barbara Funnell in 1907.

Military career
Archdale was educated at Repton School, the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He was commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Artillery in December 1901.

At the start of World War I, he had attained the rank of captain and in May 1915, he was appointed as adjutant, 4th North Midland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. In February 1917 he was appointed as brigade major. In June 1918, he joined the General Staff as a general staff officer, 2nd grade (GSO2) until early 1919.

In April 1922, Archdale was Staff Officer RA, Western Command for just over a year. In August 1924, he once again became a GSO2, until 21 May 1927. For four years until January 1935 he was commander, 9th Field Brigade Royal Artillery, based at Bulford. From October 1935 until November 1939, two months after the outbreak of World War II, he was Commander, Royal Artillery, 42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division.

By this time, Archdale was 57 years old and he was transferred to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers (Royal Artillery) in May 1942 and thence, at 60, he was retired, as an honorary brigadier.

Cricketing appearances
Archdale made three appearances for the Army in first-class cricket, as well as two appearances for the Combined Services. Having spent eight years out of the game, he played one miscellaneous fixture for the Free Foresters against the Royal Engineers in 1929.

Honours and awards
Distinguished Service Order 4 June 1917 Croix de Guerre (France) 17 December 1917 Mentioned in dispatches four times during World War I